Can Aslam Shaikh become Zohran Mamdani of Mumbai?
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-Prasanna Keskar
The Congress and the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi), who are consistently facing defeat in elections and political manoeuvres, are currently frustrated. Therefore, whenever an anti-establishment event occurs or a regime change takes place anywhere in the world, their efforts to ensure the same happens in India begin. When Gen Z caused anarchy in Bangladesh and Nepal through violent protests, the supreme leader of the Congress and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, incited the youth of India to do the same. Other MVA leaders followed suit. Of course, the youth of India, however, showed these anarchic leaders their place by giving a massive majority to the BJP-led alliance in the Bihar elections. This history is fresh.
In the past few days, ever since Zohran Mamdani, who is alleged to have close relations with Islamic fundamentalists, became the Mayor of New York, many leaders of the Congress and the MVA have publicly expressed the desire for a similar outcome in India. They are dreaming of winning the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections and handing over the reins of India's financial capital to a Muslim leader, the Muslims of India will unite and vote for them, thereby enabling them to ascend the ladder of power. Looking at the sequence of events over the last few days, it is suspected that the MVA may have found Mumbai’s Zohran Mamdani in Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh, the controversial Congress leader and former minister infamous for his links with fundamentalists.
Aslam Shaikh is currently in a new vortex of controversy for threatening BJP Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha to prevent him from demolishing encroachments by Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the Malwani, Malad area. However, instead of wishing away this controversy, he and other leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi appear to be attempting to escalate it further. The reason is simple: this controversy is related to Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh’s fundamentalist approach and MVA’s Muslim appeasement politics. The Congress and the MVA hope that the more fundamentalist Aslam Shaikh appears in this dispute, the more Muslim votes the MVA will garner.
In short, the Congress and the MVA are plotting to ascend the ladder of power by placing the reins of Mumbai in the hands of a favorite leader of Islamic fundamentalists. For this, they are looking for a leader in Mumbai similar to how Trump's opponents found Zohran Mamdani in New York, and their search ends with Aslam Shaikh.
Why Do Congress and MVA Want to Implement the New York Pattern in Mumbai?
India and America are two different countries, and the nature of their people, political understanding, and form of democracy are also completely different. Although the Congress, which has been in power for decades, knows this well, their attempt to implement the New York pattern in Mumbai is due to the extraordinary resemblance between Mumbai and New York. The following are the prominent similarities between these two cities:
Similarities Between Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh and Zohran Mamdani
Even though the family, social, and economic backgrounds of Zohran Mamdani and Aslam Shaikh are completely different, they share the following similarities:
Being the Mayor of Mumbai Municipal Corporation is More Beneficial Than Sitting on the Opposition Benches in the Assembly
Aslam Shaikh has been elected MLA since 2004. However, if the possibility of becoming the Mayor of Mumbai arises, he might resign from his MLA post. Following are the potential reasons for this:
Aslam Shaikh's Controversial Leadership
Aslam Shaikh comes from a humble background. There is no political inheritance in his family. He introduces himself as a 'local boy born and raised in Mumbai'. He is not highly educated. According to the information provided in his election affidavit, he studied up to the eighth standard at St. Anthony School in Malwani. He has not established or run any social or cultural organizations. Despite this, the main reasons for his political success are the support he receives from the Muslim community and the image he has created in the Muslim community as a fearless leader who is not afraid of controversy.
Aslam Shaikh has been embroiled in controversies many times before. Some of the controversies associated with him are as follows:
Aslam Shaikh, Accused in Various Crimes
Several crimes have been registered against Aslam Shaikh at various times. He himself has given detailed information about these crimes in his election affidavit. The details of the crimes registered against him and the actions taken are as follows:
Therefore, today, there is a need for Mumbaikars to be vigilant, to defeat the tendency like Aslam Shaikh, and to elect Bharatiya Janata Party, which is blessed with nationalist and development-centric leadership like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with a complete majority to manage the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections!
The Congress and the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi), who are consistently facing defeat in elections and political manoeuvres, are currently frustrated. Therefore, whenever an anti-establishment event occurs or a regime change takes place anywhere in the world, their efforts to ensure the same happens in India begin. When Gen Z caused anarchy in Bangladesh and Nepal through violent protests, the supreme leader of the Congress and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, incited the youth of India to do the same. Other MVA leaders followed suit. Of course, the youth of India, however, showed these anarchic leaders their place by giving a massive majority to the BJP-led alliance in the Bihar elections. This history is fresh.
In the past few days, ever since Zohran Mamdani, who is alleged to have close relations with Islamic fundamentalists, became the Mayor of New York, many leaders of the Congress and the MVA have publicly expressed the desire for a similar outcome in India. They are dreaming of winning the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections and handing over the reins of India's financial capital to a Muslim leader, the Muslims of India will unite and vote for them, thereby enabling them to ascend the ladder of power. Looking at the sequence of events over the last few days, it is suspected that the MVA may have found Mumbai’s Zohran Mamdani in Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh, the controversial Congress leader and former minister infamous for his links with fundamentalists.
Aslam Shaikh is currently in a new vortex of controversy for threatening BJP Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha to prevent him from demolishing encroachments by Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the Malwani, Malad area. However, instead of wishing away this controversy, he and other leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi appear to be attempting to escalate it further. The reason is simple: this controversy is related to Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh’s fundamentalist approach and MVA’s Muslim appeasement politics. The Congress and the MVA hope that the more fundamentalist Aslam Shaikh appears in this dispute, the more Muslim votes the MVA will garner.
In short, the Congress and the MVA are plotting to ascend the ladder of power by placing the reins of Mumbai in the hands of a favorite leader of Islamic fundamentalists. For this, they are looking for a leader in Mumbai similar to how Trump's opponents found Zohran Mamdani in New York, and their search ends with Aslam Shaikh.
Why Do Congress and MVA Want to Implement the New York Pattern in Mumbai?
India and America are two different countries, and the nature of their people, political understanding, and form of democracy are also completely different. Although the Congress, which has been in power for decades, knows this well, their attempt to implement the New York pattern in Mumbai is due to the extraordinary resemblance between Mumbai and New York. The following are the prominent similarities between these two cities:
- Financial Capital: Both cities are the financial capitals of their respective countries (India and the USA). Both cities house major stock exchanges (BSE in Mumbai and NYSE/NASDAQ in New York) and the headquarters of many large companies.
- Ports and Trade: Both cities initially developed as natural ports, making them major centers of trade.
- Cosmopolitan: Both cities are cosmopolitan. People from India and around the world come to these cities to fulfill their dreams.
- Dynamic Lifestyle: Both cities are known for their fast-paced and never-stopping lifestyle.
- Public Transportation: Public transportation systems like suburban trains, Metro, Buses etc are extremely important in both cities, and most residents rely on them.
- Terrorist Attacks: Both cities have faced the largest terrorist attacks in their respective countries (26/11 in Mumbai and 9/11 in New York).
- High Ambition: There is a feeling about both cities that, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."
- Ultra-Rich and Poor Population: Both cities have ultra-rich people (billionaires), but at the same time, a large population of poor and marginalized people.
- Influence on National Politics: Due to the economic prosperity of both cities, the established class there has significant economic and, consequently, political influence.
Similarities Between Aslam Ramzanalli Shaikh and Zohran Mamdani
Even though the family, social, and economic backgrounds of Zohran Mamdani and Aslam Shaikh are completely different, they share the following similarities:
- Muslim Identity and Minority Representation: Both are Muslim and project themselves as representatives of the minority community in their constituencies. They strongly support the Muslim community and the fundamentalists within it.
- Urban Politics: The sphere of work for both is in extremely large and multicultural cities. They use complex urban issues such as housing, infrastructure, and social harmony in these cities to unite the community and create a vote bank.
- Mask of Progressivism: Both leaders portray themselves as inclusive, development-centric, social justice, and progressive politicians, and they target communities other than their own with political prejudices.
- Political Challenges: Both leaders face criticism from their political opponents. Both leaders use that criticism to gain sympathy.
Being the Mayor of Mumbai Municipal Corporation is More Beneficial Than Sitting on the Opposition Benches in the Assembly
Aslam Shaikh has been elected MLA since 2004. However, if the possibility of becoming the Mayor of Mumbai arises, he might resign from his MLA post. Following are the potential reasons for this:
- Party Politics: Taking control of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is a dream for the Congress. Aslam Shaikh himself has claimed that, "The next Mayor of Mumbai will be from the Congress." This hints at his party's ambition and his own potential candidacy.
- Decision to Contest Alone: According to Aslam Shaikh, the Mumbai Congress has decided to contest the municipal elections alone, based on the demand of the workers. This means the Congress will attempt to elect its own mayor, and Aslam Shaikh will be a prime candidate for that.
- Political Experience: Aslam Shaikh has been elected as an MLA four times in a row. This experience could make him a strong contender for the Mayor's post.
- Local Muslim Vote Bank: Shaikh has built his Malad West constituency to wield Muslim dominance, majority, and influence. In the Malwani area of his constituency, the Muslim dominance is so strong that Hindus have migrated from there, resulting in a change in the demography. Consequently, he has created a significant influence over Muslim voters. Not just the Malwani area or the Malad West Assembly constituency, but the Muslim population in at least 31 wards of Mumbai has grown large enough to decisively influence the election results.
- Party's Political Compulsion: Although the Congress party managed to retain power through vote-bank politics by appeasing Muslims for decades, in the last three to four decades, anger has developed among the majority of the public regarding its corrupt, inefficient, and partisan administration. In such a situation, the Muslim voters' trust in the Congress has wavered, and Muslim votes are shifting to other parties like the Samajwadi Party and AIMIM. Muslims have realized that the BJP-led NDA made A.P.J. Abdul Kalam the President, but the Congress continuously deceived them. Therefore, creating a Muslim face is a compulsion for the Congress and, consequently, the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Aslam Shaikh's Controversial Leadership
Aslam Shaikh comes from a humble background. There is no political inheritance in his family. He introduces himself as a 'local boy born and raised in Mumbai'. He is not highly educated. According to the information provided in his election affidavit, he studied up to the eighth standard at St. Anthony School in Malwani. He has not established or run any social or cultural organizations. Despite this, the main reasons for his political success are the support he receives from the Muslim community and the image he has created in the Muslim community as a fearless leader who is not afraid of controversy.
Aslam Shaikh has been embroiled in controversies many times before. Some of the controversies associated with him are as follows:
- Patron of Illegal Settlements and Bangladeshi, Rohingya Infiltrators in Malwani: Aslam Shaikh is constantly accused of protecting illegal settlements of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the Malwani area. Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam have consistently made accusations in this regard. Today, due to Aslam Shaikh's patronage of infiltrators, the Malwani area has become "Mini Dhaka" and a threat to national security. This "Malwani Pattern" has disturbed the local population balance, forcing Hindu residents to migrate.
- Tipu Sultan Devotee Aslam Shaikh: In January 2022, a renovated ground in Malwani, Mumbai Municipal Corporation, was named after Tipu Sultan. Hindu organizations opposed this glorification of Tipu Sultan, who committed atrocities, massacres, and forced conversions against Hindus. However, the MVA government of Uddhav Thackeray was in power in the state at that time, and Aslam Shaikh himself was the Guardian Minister of Mumbai.
- Illegal Studios in the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) Area: While Aslam Shaikh was the Minister of Port Development, in 2022, he erected more than 28 illegal film studios and commercial constructions on Madh Island by violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya exposed this matter. ED has started an inquiry into this case.
- Accusation of Links with Drug Traffickers: In November 2021, BJP leader Mohit Kamboj accused Aslam Shaikh of inviting drug traffickers to a party.
- Champion of Yakub Memon, Who Caused Serial Bomb Blasts in Mumbai: Aslam Shaikh and some other Congress leaders submitted a mercy petition in 2015 on behalf of Yakub Memon, the main accused sentenced to death in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast case. After Yakub Memon's execution, his grave was beautified in 2022. At that time, Aslam Shaikh was the Guardian Minister of Mumbai in Uddhav Thackeray's MVA government.
Aslam Shaikh, Accused in Various Crimes
Several crimes have been registered against Aslam Shaikh at various times. He himself has given detailed information about these crimes in his election affidavit. The details of the crimes registered against him and the actions taken are as follows:
- Threatening a Minister and Obstructing Work: BJP Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha filed a written complaint with the Mumbai Police Commissioner in November 2025 that Aslam Shaikh threatened him and his family while he was taking action against illegal constructions and infiltrators in Malwani.
- "Mini Dhaka" Settlement in Malwani: Aslam Shaikh's shelter and protection of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the Malwani, Malad area has created a threat to national security. Administrative action is underway in this regard.
- Illegal Studio Construction (CRZ Violation): Between 2020 and 2022, while he was a minister, Aslam Shaikh erected more than 28 illegal film studios and commercial constructions on Madh Island by violating CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) rules. ED has initiated an investigation into this matter.
- Wielding a Sword: In March 2022, Aslam Shaikh and Varsha Gaikwad waved swords during a public event to welcome Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi. A case was registered under the Arms Act at Bandra Police Station in this regard.
- Threat from a Gangster: In October 2023, an unidentified person claiming to be the Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar called Aslam Shaikh and threatened to kill him. A case was registered against the unknown person at Bangur Nagar Police Station in this matter.
- Other Old Cases: According to the information provided by Aslam Shaikh in his election affidavit, he has cases registered against him in various police stations for offenses such as Criminal Intimidation (IPC Section-506), Intentional Insult with Intent to Provoke Breach of Peace (IPC Section-504), Joining an Unlawful Assembly (IPC Section-143), Disobeying an Order to Disperse Assembly (IPC Section-145), Disobeying an Order Promulgated by a Public Servant (IPC Section-188), Wrongful Restraint/Obstruction (IPC Section-341), and Voluntarily Causing Hurt (IPC Section-323).
Therefore, today, there is a need for Mumbaikars to be vigilant, to defeat the tendency like Aslam Shaikh, and to elect Bharatiya Janata Party, which is blessed with nationalist and development-centric leadership like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with a complete majority to manage the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections!